Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [609]

Preparing seriously for battle was just something August casually said—actually doing it was impossible. After returning home, he flopped onto the couch and relaxed to his heart’s content.

“Are you really not worried about tomorrow’s match at all?” Gary asked, watching August cuddle Eevee while absorbed in a cheesy drama.

“What’s there to worry about?” August looked genuinely puzzled.

Gary hesitated at the sight of August’s confidence, words lingering on the tip of his tongue.

Guessing what Gary was thinking, August raised an eyebrow: “You don’t seriously think I can't win without Legendary Pokémon, do you?”

“Well, it's hard to say...”

“Hm?”

“I mean—you’ll absolutely win!” Gary hastily corrected himself.

Only then did August shift his attention back to the drama.

On TV, the wandering Eevee was about to reunite with its father (a Glaceon) and mother (a Sylveon), when suddenly an Umbreon appeared, dramatically claiming Eevee was actually its child. The plot instantly became ridiculously convoluted again.

August: “...”

What state of mind does a screenwriter need to be in to create a plot this melodramatic?

What deserved even harsher self-criticism was that August himself was so bored he was willingly watching it alongside Eevee.

He felt his brain being polluted.

“As a reward, you’ll lead tomorrow’s battle!” August casually told Eevee.

“Vee!?” Eevee’s face was a perfect image of shock.

“Mew!”

Hearing the word "reward," Mew immediately perked up, energetically offering to join the battle as well.

“You’re not qualified,” August sighed.

At these words, Mew looked as though it had been struck by lightning.

When August turned around again to find Eevee, he discovered that Eevee had somehow slipped into Cogita-san’s lap and was currently “Vee-vee”-ing away, happily whispering something incomprehensible to her.

As the reigning World Champion—especially after the League changed rules banning Legendary Pokémon—August’s first match drew extraordinary attention.

Thanks to Pryce’s previous performance, online opinions once again polarized dramatically.

The optimists believed that even without Legendary Pokémon, nothing could stop August from becoming World Champion again.

The pessimists believed August might even lose against Wallace, stopping at the quarterfinals.

August scrolled through the heated comments with relish, jotting down the usernames of a few who declared he'd lose to Wallace, planning to settle accounts after the match ended.

—[All competitors, please prepare to enter the arena.]

Hearing the announcement, August pocketed his phone, casting a glance at Mew, who was furiously devouring snacks provided by the tournament organizers.

“Stop eating, it’s time to go!”

At August’s call, Mew hastily swallowed the potato chips in its mouth and quickly grabbed several more packs of chocolate pies.

This greedy look—stuffing itself and still grabbing more—made August seriously consider pretending not to know this embarrassing little creature.

Eevee was definitely more obedient.

August gently stroked Eevee’s head.

“Vee!”

Eevee perked up its ears. Unlike last night’s shocked expression at the news it would be fighting first, Eevee now looked fully fired-up.

August began to wonder if Cogita-san had taught Eevee some incredible new move to give it such confidence.

After stepping out of the waiting room, August encountered his opponent, Wallace, in the players’ tunnel.

Though it wasn't August’s first time meeting Wallace, his unique appearance still drew August’s attention.

Wearing a white beret and an elegant white cloak, Wallace radiated a distinctive artistic aura.

“It’s been a long time, August!” Wallace greeted him with a bright smile. “Steven told me everything!”

August, about to greet Wallace, was suddenly confused. “?”

What exactly did Steven tell you?

Seeing August’s confused expression, Wallace looked equally puzzled. “Steven mentioned you had some big plan here in Galar and asked me to cooperate... Isn’t that right?”

Hearing this, August felt genuinely moved for a moment.

He hadn't expected that Steven, despite not even being in Galar himself, was still quietly supporting him.

Steven was really—I’m gonna cry.

But August’s gratitude lasted exactly one moment before Wallace continued:

“Steven specially emphasized to me that your actions in Galar definitely aren't because you’re petty or anything.”

“Don’t worry, I totally understand, and I’ll keep it secret.”

Seeing Wallace’s face expressing “I completely get it,” August’s warm feelings instantly vanished.

He could almost vividly see Steven’s smug, mocking face in his mind.

“...”

You really didn't have to go out of your way to emphasize something like that.

August and Wallace spoke only briefly. No one knew that in those few seconds in the players’ tunnel, they had already completed their quick conspiracy regarding Rose and the Galar League.

When both of them entered the arena, the crowd erupted into cheers.

August, as last year's World Champion, naturally needed no introduction. Wallace, known as the "Prince of Water," also held considerable fame in the art world, boasting a massive fan base of his own.

“Do you guys think August can win? He won’t lose to Wallace, right?”

Without August’s presence beside him, Gary was suddenly feeling bold enough to speak freely.

Hearing this, Gold stared at Gary with admiring eyes. He said it outright! Gary-senpai is really brave!

“Teacher August will win!” Bea declared firmly.

She had a near-blind confidence in August’s victory.

“Mm-hm!” Lillie vigorously nodded in agreement.

She also fully believed Teacher August would triumph.

At this moment, as the referee officially announced the start of the match, Wallace and August simultaneously released their Pokémon.

“Wallace’s first Pokémon is the Hoenn starter—Swampert!”

Perhaps due to today’s record-breaking attendance, Ball Guy’s commentary was especially passionate.

“And now let’s see what Pokémon August sends out...”

Ball Guy turned his gaze toward August’s half of the battlefield, only to see a small, adorable Eevee quietly standing there.

Ball Guy’s brain stalled momentarily.

“Eevee…? August’s opening Pokémon is Eevee?”

Although Eevee had indeed performed impressively in the previous World Championship, sending it as the first battler in the Masters Tournament was still incredibly daring…

If Ball Guy, the commentator, was surprised, Wallace—August’s opponent—was no less astonished.

Seeing Eevee appear, Wallace’s eyes briefly flashed with surprise.

But knowing August as he did, Wallace definitely wouldn’t mistake this choice as mere arrogance.

There had to be a reason behind August sending out Eevee.

Realizing this, Wallace carefully instructed Swampert: “Swampert, don’t underestimate your opponent!”

Although Swampert couldn’t quite understand what was threatening about an Eevee, it nodded respectfully to its trainer and began to seriously regard Eevee.

And Eevee…

Ever since entering the battlefield, Eevee had stood quietly on all fours, large eyes blinking innocently. Its adorable appearance instantly melted the hearts of countless spectators.

“So cute!”

“This should be illegal!”

“Let her win! Let her win!”

The spectators’ fervent shouts barely affected the arena—or at least not significantly.

After all, Pokémon battles weren’t decided by popularity votes.

Though Swampert hesitated briefly due to Eevee’s cuteness, that hesitation was swiftly overcome by its competitive spirit.

Lifting both arms, Swampert opened its mouth and shot a powerful torrent of water straight at Eevee.

However, it was clear that Swampert was holding back, still somewhat affected by Eevee’s charm.

But the instant Swampert launched its attack, Eevee moved.

With just a tiny push of its legs, Eevee vanished from its spot, leaving only an afterimage behind.

So fast!

This thought simultaneously flashed through the minds of everyone watching.

In the next second, a loud bang! echoed through the arena.

Swampert flew backward as though struck by a charging Tauros, tumbling several meters before finally stopping.

At this moment, Swampert’s mind was completely blank.

What just happened? Was I actually sent flying by that tiny Eevee?

But as one of the main Pokémon belonging to Wallace, Hoenn’s reigning Champion, Swampert’s battle instincts immediately took over, launching a counterattack even in its confusion:

[Mud Shot]!

Mud surged violently toward where Eevee had just been standing.

There was nothing wrong with Swampert’s thinking here.

Since the opponent was too fast, it planned to use Mud Shot to slow it down… At least in theory.

But Swampert had overlooked a critical point: if Eevee was quick enough to dodge the earlier Water Pulse, how could it possibly fail to evade a hastily fired Mud Shot?

Just as Swampert released its muddy counterattack, it felt a sudden blur in front of its eyes, and in the next instant its huge body was sent flying once again.

All of this took place within mere moments.

From the spectators’ viewpoint, it looked something like this:
Swampert attacked, the attack got interrupted. Swampert tried to counterattack again, and the counterattack was instantly interrupted as well!

Everyone’s first reaction was: Eevee’s speed is insane!
And the second reaction was: Hey, is your Eevee even legal!?

It was simply inconceivable that Swampert—a Pokémon ten times Eevee’s size, renowned for its physical strength—was actually being knocked around by a tiny Eevee.

As for this, August’s stance was simple: This Eevee was personally delivered by the Great Llama. If you think it’s illegal, you’re welcome to take it up directly with the Llama.

Wallace was similarly shocked by Eevee’s speed. August’s Eevee was clearly much stronger than in the previous World Championship. But as Eevee’s opponent, his immediate concern was battle strategy rather than surprise.

“Swampert, hold your ground!”

Switching from offense to careful defense, Swampert immediately braced itself.

The moment Swampert adopted a defensive stance, Eevee barreled directly into it.

Thud!

With a dull impact, Swampert’s feet scraped backward, leaving deep grooves in the battlefield.

“Vee?” Eevee tilted its head slightly, looking puzzled by its failure to knock Swampert flying this time.

Having finally weathered Eevee’s assault, Swampert quickly seized back the initiative. Recognizing that Eevee was no ordinary opponent, it focused fully—its massive arm glowing brightly as it swung fiercely toward Eevee:

[Hammer Arm]!

Startled by Swampert’s fierce momentum, Eevee instinctively flattened itself to the ground and covered its ears with tiny paws. Swampert’s powerful swing missed Eevee by barely a centimeter, slicing through empty air above its trembling head.

The whooshing sound alone made Eevee’s fur stand on end, its tiny heart thumping in terror.

“Tickle!” August swiftly commanded.

Eevee blinked rapidly, then lifted its fluffy tail, brushing the tip gently against Swampert’s sensitive spots.

Nobody—not even Wallace—had expected August to use such a mischievous move in the Masters Tournament, and Swampert clearly hadn’t trained to resist something like Tickle.

Despite the seriousness of the match, Swampert’s body betrayed its instincts under Eevee’s ticklish tail, and it couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

Swampert’s Attack and Defense ↓

Yet Wallace, as a Champion, naturally had his own insights. Seeing Eevee move closer to Swampert for the sake of tickling, he immediately recognized a critical opening.

“Swampert, [Earthquake]!”

Compared to Hammer Arm, Earthquake was far more difficult to avoid—especially for Eevee.

Swampert pressed its massive limbs into the ground, sending powerful shockwaves radiating outward. Eevee, standing extremely close, bore the brunt of the seismic blast.

With no room to dodge, Eevee was struck hard.

“Vee…” Eevee let out a pitiful cry.

Wallace, who’d been dominated until now, finally felt relieved.

However, he missed the dangerous gleam in August’s eyes at that very moment.

Capitalizing on the brief window after Swampert’s Earthquake, August issued his next command:

“Eevee, [Return]!”

He’d often taught Ash about the Return tactic, and as Ash’s teacher, August naturally had a perfect grasp of it as well.

In terms of bonds, he and Eevee were second to none!

Under August’s command, Eevee activated Return. Energy born from the deep bond between trainer and Pokémon surged forth, enveloping Eevee in dazzling light as it charged Swampert.

Return?

Wallace glanced at the Eevee—which wasn’t even a Sylveon—and didn’t initially feel worried.

Return was a move whose power relied entirely on friendship: the stronger the bond, the greater the damage.

And as everyone knew, if an Eevee’s affection was high enough, it would usually evolve into Sylveon.

Yet August’s Pokémon was still just an Eevee.

So naturally—

BOOM!

While Wallace was still thinking about how to counterattack after enduring this supposedly mild Return, he watched in stunned disbelief as the tiny Eevee slammed a paw—with a soft little paw pad—into Swampert’s belly, unleashing a terrifying burst of power he’d never anticipated!

The impact was so fierce, Swampert’s stomach visibly dented inward from Eevee’s strike.

With a loud grunt, Swampert flew backward like a cannonball, crashing directly into the protective barriers around the battlefield, triggering the stadium’s emergency defenses.

“Incredible! Eevee’s Return dealt massive damage to Swampert!”

If earlier hits had seemed playful, this attack unquestionably caused serious injury.

Swampert struggled painfully to its feet, face twisted in agony. A clear paw-shaped imprint remained visible on its stomach.

It even looked somewhat adorable.

Cheers exploded from the stands at this stunning scene.

Wallace’s expression turned deadly serious, his focus sharper than ever.

Yet seriousness alone couldn’t reverse Swampert’s declining situation.

Despite Wallace changing tactics—adopting careful, step-by-step caution—when facing Eevee, the Chosen One blessed by the Great Llama itself, there was ultimately little Swampert could do.

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This is a fan translation of 我，宝可梦称号大师！ by 落唯 白良. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!